Tom Hanks becomes an honorary Greek citizen

Tom Hanks may officially consider himself Greek.

Greece's President, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, has signed an honorary naturalisation order allowing the 63-year-old actor to claim Greek citizenship.

The Hollywood star has made no secret of his love for Greece, where he has spent many summer holidays with his wife, Rita Wilson, who is of Greek origin, on the island of Antiparos.

Under Greek law, honorary naturalisation may be granted to people “who have provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalisation serves the public interest."

The initiative came from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had met Hanks and discussed issues of Greek interest.

The Oscar winner has quietly supported several initiatives for Greece, including helping victims of the Mati fires in 2018.

Sources state that the PM's proposal to Hanks was accepted with enthusiasm, and was followed by a formal request to President Pavlopoulos by Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos.

Hanks has previously said that he feels "110 per cent Greek... I'm more Greek than a Greek is" because he is married to Wilson, the producer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

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